The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-08
CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
Evangelical Alliance in Session,
One of the Largest Churches in
Washington Crowded.
President Dodge Briefly States the
Reason for the Gathering.
The Leniency of the Government
Toward Foreigners Attacked.
The immigration Which Draws nom
the Lower Strata OF Europe
is Changing the Charac-
ter OF Americans.
Evangelical Alliance in Session,

WASHINGTON, Dec. "A general chris
tian conference, under the auspices and
direction of the Evangelical alliance Tor the
United States, opened in this city this
morning.
The Congregational church, in which
the conference met, and which is one OF
the largest in Washington, was completely
filed when President Dodge called the
meeting to order and briefly stated the
reasons which had led to the gathering and
the results hoped for. In the course of
his remarks he said the alliance had
thoughtfully studied the social aud eco
nomic changes in the country and sought
TO know whether existing christian organi-
cations were sufficient 10 meet growing
needs. lie referred TO the organized power
of the saloons, and said the church had
lost its hold ON the workingmen. Every
where among them is unrest and looking
for higher good. This means n grand OPP
portuniy and a turn for an applied
christianity. lie said this gathering was
called that facts may be presented and
conference held as to the opportunity and
the responsibility.
At the conclusion of President Dodgc's
address, the Hon. John Jay, Of New York,
spoke at length. The Rev. DIR. J. 5. Nc
PheHon, OF Chicago, also spoke. Notice
was given that Justice Strong, Of the u. :.
| supreme court, would preside at the after.
noon session; Senator Colquitt, OF
! Georgia, at the evening session, and JUS
| tice Harlan, OF the L. ). supreme court,
tomorrow at the forenoon session. Notice
was also given Of the cordial invitation of
! President and Mrs. Cleveland TO delegates
20 visit them at the Whitc-housc on
Friday, Immediately after the close OF the
forenoon session.
The attendance at the afternoon session
was very large, and many persons who
were unable TO find seats remained stand
ing in the aislcs. EX-Justicc Strong, OF
the U. 5. supreme court, who pfcsidcd,
said that there had never been time
when such rlllNing and uniting OF all
that is best in the christian church was
more imperatiycly needed than now. lie
introduced Prof. Palmer II. Boycson, OF
Columbia college, who made a short adj
dress upon the subject Of immigration.
The constitution of the United States,
he said, was framed by men Of Anglo
Saxon origin, for their own government.
and presupposcs the long political cyolu-
ton 10 which that race has been subjected.
To prcsupposc such Anglo-Saxon virtues
as moderation, scli-rcstraint aud sense OF
fair play, OF those not having such ante
ccdcnts, ~ absurd. Immigration which
draws from the lower strata OF Europe il
changing the character OF the people and
gradually eliminating the views which are
indispensable 10 such scli-govcmmcnt. 4
change has come over the spirit Of the inn
migrant, owing TO the fact that he does not
improve his lot ~ much ~ formerly by inn
migration. The socialists and anarchists
come 10 aycngc here what they suffered in
Europe. by their disloyal sentiments and
hostility TO American institutions they dis.
organized them. Tho third estate the In.
industrial classl Is the governing class in
this country But now the fourth class
the manual laborcrs, who formerly
framed no political dcmands-has raised
lis head and has begun 10 contest with the
third state, the directing power In this
| country. Hence arise discomfort aud social
and economic CONFUSION. The speaker.
| though rcgrutting this tmnslgr oi
power did not sec how, with
universal suffrage and Unrestricted
immigration IL was 10 De- ayCrtcd. lie be-
licycd that the time had arrived when our
former policy Of indiscriminaic absorption
OF foreign elements Of population would
result in q serious crisis. The nation no
longer IL able "a as.imilalo the alien con.
tents with sufficient mpidity Thcchillrcn
Of aliens make q terrible exhibit IN the
statistics OF paupcrism and crime. They
constitute largely the hoodlums and
roughs Of our cities. The public schools
have intoxicated mon with o sense Of indie
pondcncc, without imprcging upon them
the responsibilities Of liberty. Tho cm-
pl0ycm Of labor, be said, arr able 10 defeat
strikes by means Of immigration. More
competition with American labor enters
in week through Castle garden than the
prisons turn out in a year. Protection 10
American labor IL farce as long rs this
unbarrcd nood-mio remains open. Inn
migration has the effect Of lowering the
grade Of American civilization, by intro.
ducing an undue competition with people
who demand less Of life. lie had known
llungurians who saved money on wages
OF 81 a day. They changed their linen
once n month, and picked their dinners
] out OF NnNrNtllfiHs NWlHIltNilNU WIN hNill
people was impossible for sclfrcspccting
labOrcrs People who live like pigs also
presently behave like pigs.
Prof. Boycson said, In conclusion, that
he was IN favor OF law which would
make consular inspection and n certificate
OF good character indispensable prcwquis-
ties 30 immigration; practically such q law,
In fact, ~ proposed by Senator Palmer.
A general discussion Of the subject fol-
lowed, in the course Of which Mr.. l.. L..
Baldwin, OF Boston, said that law rcquir-
ing cOnsuls 10 certify Ia the good character
Of all immigrants might be very good
thing, but the exclusion Of Chinalnan ~
a Chnnman "is an abominaiion." lie did
not believe In the free admission Of such
foreigners ~ those who mobbed the Chi
nese at Rock Springs, and the INCLUSION Of
: such peaceful Chinese rs those who were
! the victims OF that Outrage.
Bishop Ilunt, IL. D., Of Buffalo, adj
dressed the members Of the alliance on
"rhc Enlargement Of the Masses from
the Church" lie said In substance. The
American church has never provided
, either pastors or churches sufficient 10 sup
ply thc spiritual need Of our people. The
, causes Of the arrangement Of the people
. i the antagonism Of the foreigners t0 our
evangelical life. We committed Crime